Rams Will Trade for Rob Carpenter

The New York Giants will trade fullback Rob Carpenter to the Rams today in exchange for a sixth-round draft choice, according to Carpenter.

“I’ve agreed to all the terms; we just have to sign some papers tomorrow at Giants Stadium,” Carpenter, 31, said Thursday night in a telephone interview with the Hartford Courant. “The Giants weren’t willing to make a financial commitment after last year, but the Rams have taken care of that.”

Late Thursday, a spokesman for the Rams confirmed to The Times that the deal will be announced today.

George Young, Giant general manager, earlier had refused to confirm the nine-year veteran’s statement but said: “We’re very close.”

Last season, Carpenter was paid $250,000. He carried the ball 60 times for 201 yards. He admitted, however, that his new one-year contract, to be signed today, calls for a good deal less.

“The Rams have said they want to go to the two-back offense,” Carpenter said. “They needed somebody versatile, who could run, catch and block. Most of all, they needed a tough inside runner. That kind of combination is going to keep defenses honest. They can’t just concentrate on Eric (Dickerson, who rushed for 1,234 yards last season after running for a season-record 2,105 yards in 1984.)

“The other thing it does is take pressure off the No. 1 guy,” Carpenter said.